Rays triumph again, knock Indians out

Associated Press

October 2, 2013

Photo: Phil Long / Associated Press

Indians catcher Yan Gomes jumps to reach a high throw as the Rays' Evan Longoria slides into home with some guidance from teammate James Loney (right) in the fourth inning of Tampa Bay's win in Cleveland.

Cobb, who missed a chunk of the regular season after he was hit in the head by a line drive, quieted a thundering Cleveland crowd and ended the Indians' unexpected season.

“Can't put into words the appreciation I have celebrating on this field,” Cobb said. “I knew how close it was to not coming back. Sitting on the couch watching these games, I knew we had a good chance. We have a great team. I was going to do everything I could to get back and be a part of it.”

Delmon Young homered in the third inning off rookie Danny Salazar as the Rays, playing in their third city over four days, advanced to face the AL East champion Red Sox in the division series starting Friday.

Cobb's comeback in August helped stabilize the Rays, who have spent the past two weeks winning crucial games to make the postseason for the fourth time in six years.

Cobb pitched out of massive jams in the fourth and fifth and allowed two runners to reach in the seventh before turning it over to a dependable bullpen.

Fernando Rodney worked a perfect ninth, striking out Lonnie Chisenhall to end it. Rodney dropped to one knee and pointed skyward and soon was mobbed by all the Rays, who may be a little homesick but are Boston-bound.

Unfazed by a raucous, red-clad, towel-waving crowd of 43,579 that roared like a jet engine inside Progressive Field, the Rays handled the Indians and will face their division nemesis, the Red Sox, who went 12-7 against Tampa Bay this season.

It was one and done for Cleveland, which saw its first three hitters — Michael Bourn, Swisher and Jason Kipnis — go a combined 0 for 12.